[ROOT`iaguz]

Bit of everything. When I feel like I don't understand how to open in a matchup anymore I pop open a stream or some replays and watch until I like something I see. Then I play it out and see what happens.

Lots of laddering. On occasion someone like pig, light, jimdiddy or whoever asks for some practice matches. Those are good, but not part of my usual "how does I get this build and transitions to work"

Some thinking can come into it. Perhaps I like a certain early game or midgame look, like 2 factories in TvZ for hellions, making a few of them and then switching into 2 factory tanks for my pushes later on. Generally I notice these things when watching pr0 replays though, like "oh wow, he did this and this and now his medivacs are coming out a minute faster. I think I'll try that!", or "Oh damn MKP so sexy. Let's take his 1 base plays and terrorize protosses"

And after I see something I like, figure out how to open it, notice how they transition you jump on ladder and trial it a ton. Then figure out what else to use